Without a doubt, investing in an exchange program is the best way to learn English, discover new cultures and make new friends. There are many destinations, but you need to take some things into consideration before deciding on the best one. Among the most rated, studying and working in New Zealand has become a very advantageous reality for students all around the world.
In this article, you will discover incredible tips about this country and the main reasons to carry out the exchange of your dreams in one of the best places to study and live in the world.
Want to know how to take your first steps to finally work in New Zealand, studying and enjoying yourself at the same time? Read on and embark on the greatest adventure of your life!
Why choose to work and study in New Zealand?
It is increasingly common for young people to seek opportunities abroad, both for studies and for work. There is no shortage of reasons to study and work in New Zealand: one of the most advantageous destinations for us Brazilians. See what they are below.
Climate
Thinking about living abroad always raises some doubts, especially regarding some adaptation difficulties. Among these issues, the weather can be one of the main concerns. However, in New Zealand the temperatures are very pleasant and very similar to those in Brazil.
January and February are the hottest months, with averages ranging from 20℃ to 25℃. In winter, in the middle of the year, temperatures fluctuate between 12℃ and 16℃, on average. In addition, the seasons are well defined, which makes it possible to enjoy the different landscapes and enjoy various activities.
Quality of life
It is indisputable that the quality of life is one of the main reasons for deciding to study and work in New Zealand, after all, everything works there. Public issues – such as hospitals, schools, security, culture, among other points – are of extreme quality and those who have a student visa can enjoy all these benefits as a resident of a first world country.
Amazing landscapes and cultures
Studying and working in New Zealand is not just about boosting your resume and career. If you want, you will be able to enjoy and travel through the most incredible scenarios that this country has to offer.
New Zealand’s natural beauty is unique, and its landscapes are “jaw-dropping”. Beaches, mountains, forests, fjords, glaciers and volcanoes are among the hidden wonders. In addition, the different cultures, traditions and customs will delight you at every moment of this adventure.
friendly currency
Undoubtedly, the issue of currency is a great ally for those who intend to study and work in New Zealand, given that investments will be much smaller and the quality of education and professional opportunities are excellent.
Do I need a visa to live in New Zealand?
Before planning your New Zealand experience, you need to know which type of visa is most suitable for your trip.
For those who want to stay in the country for up to 12 weeks, it is not necessary to apply for a tourist visa in advance. Entry permission is granted on arrival in the country. With this visa, the international student can study for up to 3 months and choose part-time (10 or 15 hours per week) or full-time (20 to 30 hours per week) options.
If the objective is to study for a longer period, it is necessary to apply for a study visa before traveling to New Zealand. It allows the international student to take courses lasting from 14 weeks, being valid for the most diverse types of courses – such as English, technical, High School and also university programs.
To apply for the visa, the course must have a minimum workload of 20 hours per week. It is important to seek information about the rules and how to apply for a student visa in New Zealand, as it also offers other advantages for international students, as we will explain later.
Is it possible to study and work in New Zealand at the same time?
Is your focus on improving English and still earning extra income with a temporary exchange job? In New Zealand, that dream will come true! The country is one of the only ones that allows students to combine both activities, in addition to being a cheaper option than destinations like the United States and England.
To work during the study, the international student must have a study visa in hand, as it allows the international student to work legally in the country during the course of his/her project. However, there are some conditions for obtaining this work permit.
The student must complete a course lasting a minimum of 14 weeks at a school classified as Level 1 by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
For Category 2 schools, the student must be enrolled in a course of at least 24 weeks duration and submit an IELTS proficiency exam with a minimum score of 5.5.
In both cases, the student visa will allow you to legally reconcile a position of 20 hours during the academic period and 40 hours during holidays and school breaks.
Working while studying is a big advantage when choosing New Zealand as your exchange destination. With the hours dedicated to work and study, you increase your contact with the language through real day-to-day situations, in addition to earning extra money to help with the expenses of staying in the country and making some trips.
How to register for courses in New Zealand?
New Zealand offers numerous excellent options of educational institutions and courses for those who are looking to the country to carry out their exchange program. The possibilities can be to develop your knowledge in English, obtain a technical certification or even study at one of its universities.
You can research more about your options on the New Zealand government education websites, or rely on the support of an exchange agency specializing in the destination. They will advise you on your enrollment at the institution and also provide the necessary support at all stages of your exchange.
Here we provide tips for you to find some of the best educational institutions in New Zealand! If you are looking for an English course, you can choose between the following:
- Kaplan International English;
- NZLC;
- Unique New Zealand;
- Embassy English;
- CCEL;
- Southern Lakes English College.
However, if you are looking for technical courses, there are options at private schools, such as NZIE or New Zealand polytechnics. If your interest is in obtaining a university degree – undergraduate, graduate or doctoral – you can choose one of the 8 public universities in the country internationally recognized for their academic performance and research performance. They are AUT and Massey University.
How to work in New Zealand?
International student, now that we’ve shown you where you can study in New Zealand, learn about a quick way that can put you in touch with your future boss!
Register now on one of the sites and increase your chances of joining a company in New Zealand! In addition, in the classroom itself, you will network and have access to job vacancies. Also look in classifieds, newspapers, shop windows, websites and door-to-door. Opportunities are everywhere.
By being employed in the country, you can balance a good part of your daily expenses (such as food, transport and housing), but for that, you need information about the cost of living.
Normally, international students live on around NZ$1,000 a month. If we start from the price of BRL 2.50 for NZD 1, the value gives, on average, BRL 2,500 per month.
Of course, this will depend on the lifestyle you are going to lead during your exchange, but don’t worry! This amount is what many companies pay students there. The country’s minimum wage is NZD 15.25 per hour, with many students earning between NZD 17 and NZD 25 per hour worked.
How to balance work and study abroad?
You understand that it is possible to turn your dream into reality when you start working and studying in New Zealand. For this, however, you need to plan.
First, put on paper your monthly expenses living abroad, from school supplies to housing expenses. After that, start organizing the hours of your day to dedicate yourself to both language acquisition and job obligations.
With this organized data, you will use the ideal time for each activity and even gain much more responsibility in this new life of yours that begins.
How much does it cost to study and work in New Zealand?
This question is always the most asked by Brazilians. However, the exact amount will depend on a number of factors, such as the advance purchase of the ticket (which can be found from US$1,099.00), the choice of school, the type of accommodation, among others. The fees for obtaining a visa are also not high.
The best way to organize a plan to study and work in New Zealand is to plan it in advance and, without a doubt, through an education agency.
Now that you have the best tips for studying and working in New Zealand, it’s time to decide which city will be your next destination in Oceania. Undoubtedly, an exchange program is an unforgettable experience, and its benefits are loaded for life!